The Elixir of the Sun - Reviews

I know many people seem to enjoy this story, but personally, it's not my cup of tea. 

This story started strong, pretty decent world building, strong minded female lead, amazing art, and a kinda cliche but well executed premise. 

So my problem with it, the characters. The female lead was funny and smart at the start, an enjoyable character who got on well with the side characters. Then she met the male lead, and omg what happened. Bayan became a blushing, stuttering mess, can't get a single wise word out when in the presence of Dhan. 

Bayan is said to be smart, able to memorise material even scholars have trouble with, yet doesn't seem to understand palace ettiquette in the slightest? Even side characters comment on how dense she seems to be, if you are a fluff enjoyer be my guest, but dialouge became cringy and just bad, and the relationship between Dhan and Bayan seems to have no obstacles or development. It was love at first sight, they fuck every where, Bayan climbs onto his lap like a five year old regardless whether everyone is looking at them, the have sex in an office where its been comfirmed that shadow ninjas are hiding in the corners just watching them, dude probably has a foot fetish, its lovey dovey goodness.

Dhan character isn't bad, cliche but still readable. The only problem I have with him is that yeah i understand an incurable thrist of blood seems horrible, but why must you sacrifice dozens of young women in order to quench it? surely there must be other, more morally accptable consequences. Like sacrificing the lives of criminals and rapists, but no and worst of all he seems to not show any remorse.

In the story those who don't offer their daughters to be fucking killed, and either executed or have heavy tax implemented onto them. The story makes out the nobles who don't sacrifice the women in the clan bad guys, its very subtle but it throws me of, and never once has anyone actually called him out on it, even our kind hearted, loveable female lead. If Bhan wasn't the male lead, he would be the selfish villain, Bayan would probably be Trashta, and this manga would be a revenge story.

68 chapters and nothing happens to Bayans village, like after 40 chapters nothing happens, unless you count the female lead acting like some 5 year old.

Bayans a mary sue, Dhan is honesty questionable, and I'm kinda dissapointed.

I've read 55 chapters of 'The Elixir of the Sun', but I've dropped it now. I feel like the story begins off well, Bayan is a girl whos bullied and isolated because of her unique dark hair colour in her tribe, and this leads to her mother being killed and her being sent off as a concubine to the devilish emperor. She has the motivation to achieve revenge, but shes constantly having nightmares and sleepwalks due to her trauma. In particular, I didn't really enjoy these scenes as I felt it occured too much and it completely ruined Bayan's image, from a strong independent and ambitious girl to someone whos pitiful in every chapter. I don't get how her nightmares are supposed to progress the plot? Yes it does make the readers feel pity for her and also demonstrates how shes only human but it just makes her appear as helpless after a while.

Note: I just wanna say if you're into strong/ cold and unexpressive/ manipulative female leads like I am, this story is definitely not for you...

Another thing I really disliked about the story is the relationship between the Emperor and Bayan, yes it does seem cute at first but after a while I felt so disgusted about it. I don't know why... Was it the striking similarity between 'The remarried empress' characters Sovieshu and Rashta? I really disliked how she was presented as 'innocent and pure' and almost child like... The way she was preparing to be empress by reading books just reminded me of Rashta. I feel like theres no character development at all, yeah Bayan learns how to read and write but does she change her attitude? No. She doesn't adapt to the palace life and she doesn't even realise how vulnerable and naive she is. Honestlu, after a while Bayan's character started to get annoying. I feel like the author was trying too hard to portray her as a pure being whos not after money or clout. 

Personally, this story wasnt for me. I'm not sure if the novels better, I heard it has more spicy scenes though. I disliked the story as it was very lacklustre and slow paced in terms of action. The romance is quicker than the action lmao, and the romance is so superficial it kills me inside. Their whole relationship was implemented due to Bayan's blood and the fact that the emperor's blood was cured because of her. Of course the emperor 'loves' her (which i think is bs, my theory is that something in her body makes him act the way he does and thats why they have sex every night). 

Overall I rated it a 5 because its the later chapters which disappointed me, but I will admit the beginning was good.

I expected this was some edgy romance with an unhealthy love, but I was pleasantly surprised. The FL is funny as well as smart (in her own way). The story in general is actually quite heartwarming. The ML isn't a jerk, (well, maybe a bit of a psycho). The two are adorable and both are interesting. I thought it'd be like every vampire romance ever, but it's not!!

Also, there are no vampires, unfortunately. 

Also, the FL is great!! Sort of mix between the innocent lady and clever villainess. Not to say she's evil, but she's not too forgiving either.

It's overall super cute! The relationship between the FL and ML is very lovey dovey.

I think it is setting up the main plot right now? Because I just finished season 1 and I almost feel like it could just end there. The FL hasn't finished her personal mission but it hasn't been specifically stated what she wants to do... (besides it being revenge). Idk I like the characters a lot, I'm just not as invested in the plot because everything is working out pretty smoothly for her and a conflict hasn't been identified, although I'm sure it will arise (I know she had a hard childhood and life before meeting the ML, I'm talking about where we meet her and how the story has progressed since chapter 1. Idk if that makes sense...). But overall Im not trying to say I don't like it, I will continue to read it and would recommend it! 

It's been so long since I've read something that had me so excited. With every chapter I found myself pondering "why is that after reading 600+ mangas, that I've uncovered this gem so late?"

Contrary to some reviews, I find this FL very endearing. Her tragic backstory made me cry for her. I love how sincere and straightforward she is when it comes to telling her feelings. People say that she acts ditzy and clumsy, but I don't think that at all. You can't expect someone who was always on the brink of starvation to act like those scheming, political mastermind villainesses you read in other manhwas.

You can dish on the ML, too, for being a psychopath, but after reading so many harem novels with the MLs ruthlessly killing others, I've become numb to it. If you're into yanderes who only love their female counterparts, then you'll love the ML.